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Scalia to lie in repose at Supreme Court Friday

Americans who wish to pay respects to late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia will have a chance to do so in person on Friday as his body lies in repose in the high court's Great Hall.

The public will be admitted to the viewing from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., the court said in a statement Tuesday. Prior to the public viewing, the court will hold a ceremony for court personnel and Scalia's fellow justices.

In a statement, the court called the morning ceremony "private," but said portions of it will be open to coverage by a press pool.

On Saturday at 11 a.m., a funeral mass for Scalia will take place at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. The funeral "is open to friends and family members," the court said. Scalia's burial will be private, court officials said.

Scalia, 79, was declared dead last Saturday at a west Texas ranch he was visiting as part of a hunting party. The ranch owner said the justice failed to respond to knocks on his door Saturday morning and was eventually found dead in his bed.

In keeping with court tradition, Scalia's chair on the Supreme Court bench has been draped with black wool crepe and a similar black drape has been placed over the courtroom doors, another court statement said. In addition, the flags in front of the court will be flown at half-staff for 30 days, the statement said.

The first scheduled public events in the Supreme Court courtroom are oral arguments and potentially the delivery of one or more opinions on Monday, Feb. 22.

On Friday, the same day as the viewing, the justices are scheduled to meet for a regular private conference to discuss pending cases and petitions.

UPDATE (Tuesday, 6:05 P.M.): This post has been updated with the court's confirmation of the funeral and burial plans.